Joseph Addison’as an essayist.
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Write a note on the language and style of Joseph Addison.
Introduction
Joseph Addison’as an essayist – Addison started as a poet and dramatist but his lasting fame depends upon his essays. Later it was as an essayist that he made his mark and remains admired even now. Initially he was an essayist who contributed to Steele’s ‘Tatler’. He became a partner and contributed 274 essays out of total of 555. Ten thousand copies were sold of ‘The Spectator’. It was a big success as people waited for it, on their tea table every morning.
Subject Matter : Addison’s contribution of 400 essays is a reflection of the society of his times. He was a mild critic of the morals of his age. Addison took deeper themes such as fashion, immortality, jealousy prayer etc. He was an advocate of moderation in everything and did not approve of excess. He did not hesitate to attack the vices, big or small with a kindness peculiarly his Own.
The Mirror of Society: His essays are significant as a presentation of the social picture of that time. He presented the art of literary criticism in a new way. He has presented characters like Sir Roger, the country gentleman and Will Wimble, the poor relation who are immortal in the history of literature. He, thus, not only gave modern essay but also laid the foundation of English novel. His best essays are those which are woven round the character of Sir Roger. Sir Roger’s character was the creation of Steele’s imagination. Addison gave the spectator club life and charm which made these essays significant in the history of essay.
Humour and Irony: Addison is remarkable for his gentle humour in the essays. His humour has been characterized as gentlemanly and delicate. There are fine touches of irony but he is rarely satirical. His gentle humour made a deep mark on his readers and made him popular. The behaviour of Sir Roger is full of humour with ironic undertones. He pronounces ‘Amen’ loudly and repeatedly but he himself takes one whenever he likes. The irony and humour cannot be mixed by the reader. He is the greatest periodical essayist.
His Style: Addison is wisely praised for his style. It was a perfect middle style. His choice of words for their meaning and graceful rhythm is unmatched. His style perfectly suits his subject and moves in harmony. His success was largely due to his style. He is a specimen for those who wish to learn how to write good prose. According to Johnson, the youngmen should devote their days and nights reading Addison to master the art of expression. A Social Reformer: His contribution to the English society as a reformer has been widely accepted. He reformed the English taste. He moved to undo the damage caused by Restoration drama and poetry which made virtue ridiculous and vice attractive. He boldly attacked vice to show the ugly face and reveal virtue in its natural beauty. After him nobody tried to worship the false gods. Nobody tried to openly violate decency without being considered a fool. He took advantage of new social life and made it a regular subject of his essays upon men and manners. He laid foundation of modern essay as well as that of the modern novel. His study of the various facts of Sir Roger became a landmark in the development of English novel.
Nature of Addison’s Prose : His prose is urban language of the people. It does not have grave, big words of the formal writing like Milton and Browne. He also does not have vulgar words of everybody’s speech. His prose is model of middle style on grave subjects.
Main Features of His Style
(1) Narrative Manner: He writes his essays as if he were telling a story of his experiences. He begins in a simple manner. After a brief description, he begins his theme of the essay. He quotes the dialogues as it takes place between two persons. He also makes comments wherever it is possible.
(2) Simplicity, Clarity and Lucidity : Addison avoids difficult and unfamiliar as well as Latin words. The quality of his style is clarity. His sentences are divided into clearcut clauses and phrase. His prose is lucid.
(3) Suppleness : Addison’s prose is also supple. He uses a metaphor and simile to lay emphasis on his point.
(4) The stamp of his personality : He was a sincere, honest, straight forward, simple and reserved man. So his style is simple and not obscure, complex and superfluous.
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